Abstract: A roots-style blower (210) has a housing (214), rotors (230) and manifolds (212) for the housing (214). The housing (214) forms an inlet plenum (220), a rotor chamber (224) and a discharge plenum (228). The rotors (230) have straight lobes (232) spaced by pockets (240). The pocket (240X) that traps gas between a leading and following lobe (232) and an inside wall of the rotor chamber (224) is a temporary closed cell (240X). The manifolds (212) and the housing (214) form a pair of back-pass loops (250-251), one for each rotor (230). Each back-pass loop (250-252) comprises a back-pass chamber (250), outer channels (252) from the discharge plenum (228) to the back-pass chamber (250), and inner channels (251) to the rotor chamber (224). Wherein, the back-pass chamber (250) volume as a percentage of closed cell (240X) volume ranges between about fifty-six percent (56%) and one-hundred-seventeen percent (117%).

Abstract: A closure formed from a pair of closure halves and methods of forming are provided. In one embodiment a closure having identical closure halves is provided. The first closure half includes a first male hinge portion and a first female hinge portion. The second closure half includes a second male hinge portion and a second female hinge portion. The second male hinge portion interfits with the first female hinge portion and cooperate to form a first hinge arrangement defining a first hinge axis. The second female hinge portion interfits with the first male hinge portion and cooperate to form a second hinge arrangement defining a second hinge axis. The first and second hinge axis are co-axial and the first and second closure halves rotate relative to one another via the first and second hinge arrangements about the first and second hinge axes between open and closed states.

Abstract: A roots-style blower (210) has a housing (214), rotors (230) and manifolds (212) for the housing (214). The housing (214) forms an inlet plenum (220), a rotor chamber (224) and a discharge plenum (228). The rotors (230) have straight lobes (232) spaced by pockets (240). The pocket (240X) that traps gas between a leading and following lobe (232) and an inside wall of the rotor chamber (224) is a temporary closed cell (240X). The manifolds (212) and the housing (214) form a pair of back-pass loops (250-251), one for each rotor (230). Each back-pass loop (250-252) comprises a back-pass chamber (250), outer channels (252) from the discharge plenum (228) to the back-pass chamber (250), and inner channels (251) to the rotor chamber (224). Wherein, the back-pass chamber (250) volume as a percentage of closed cell (240X) volume ranges between about fifty-six percent (56%) and one-hundred-seventeen percent (117%).

Abstract: A fishing float includes a housing having first and second portions. The housing first portion may contain a first light source and a first depth sensor. The housing second portion may contain a second light source and a second depth sensor. The housing may include a battery, orientation switch, CPU, and charging coil. An optional remote receiver unit includes a receiver and an interface. After the housing is cast, the orientation switch completes a circuit that automatically energizes the downward-facing light source (whether first or second). The corresponding downward-facing depth sensor (whether first or second) generates water depth data. The CPU may actuate the upward-facing light source to indicate the water depth data and may actuate the charging coil's transmission of this data to the receiver unit. The housing rotates when a hook is struck, flashing the downward-facing light source. Inducing current in the charging coil may recharge the battery.

Abstract: A training firearm that provides a realistic recoil effect. The firearm, preferably a pistol, may be an actual firearm retrofitted with a self-contained “blow back” assembly. Usually, the pistol will include a laser device that emits a laser beam readable by a target system. The laser replaces live rounds, and the blow back assembly causes return of the slide to cycle in a manner similar to that caused by live ammunition in an unmodified weapon. The blow back assembly is driven by a disposable cartridge of compressed gas self-contained in the handle of the pistol. A valve integrated with the firing pin releases a burst of gas when the firing pin is impacted by the hammer. The gas pushes back the slide and recocks the hammer for the next “round.” This system provides law enforcement and military personnel a realistic tool to develop recoil management and target re-acquisition skills.

Abstract: An integrated system for automatically controlling the operation of both an automated mechanical transmission and a multiple speed axle assembly in a vehicle drive train assembly includes a transmission actuator for operating the transmission in any one of a plurality of transmission gear ratios. The system further includes an axle actuator for operating the axle assembly in any one of a plurality of axle gear ratios. An electronic controller is provided for operating the transmission in a desired one of the plurality of transmission gear ratios and for operating the axle assembly in a desired one of the plurality of axle gear ratios to provide a desired overall gear ratio for the vehicle. To accomplish this, the electronic controller is responsive to one or more input signals that represent operating parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: An integrated system for automatically controlling the operation of both an automated manual transmission and a multiple speed axle assembly in a vehicle drive train assembly includes a transmission actuator for operating the transmission in any one of a plurality of transmission gear ratios. The system further includes an axle actuator for operating the axle assembly in any one of a plurality of axle gear ratios. An electronic controller is provided for operating the transmission in a desired one of the plurality of transmission gear ratios and for operating the axle assembly in a desired one of the plurality of axle gear ratios to provide a desired overall gear ratio for the vehicle. To accomplish this, the electronic controller is responsive to one or more input signals that represent operating parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automated system and method for electronically auditing point-of-sale transactions is provided. Each retail store outfitted with the present invention has at least partially automated point-of-sale system for processing a retail sales transaction in the normal operation of the retail store. A non-invasive automated electronic auditing system is disposed in each store for monitoring the point-of-sale system in a substantially totally passive manner and for collecting a copy of each retail sales transactions on the point-of-sale system. The electronic auditing system preferably includes a sensor assembly for detecting the processed retail sales transactions and a computer processor coupled to the sensor assembly for processing the detected retail sales transactions.

Abstract: A lightweight video cassette cartridge formed of recyclable materials is provided. The cassette cartridge includes a video tape housing and a dust cover. The dust cover includes a base portion fixedly attached to the video tape housing and a tear strip releasably attached to the base portion for covering the video tape contained in the video tape housing when attached to the base portion and for re-exposing the video tape for play in a VCR when removed from the base portion.

Abstract: A lightweight solid-core video cassette cartridge includes a cartridge shell and a solid-core structural member. The cartridge shell includes spaced apart top and bottom panels which define an interior hollow chamber therebetween. A pair of video tape reels are positioned within this hollow chamber for winding video tape. The solid core structural member is provided for maintaining the spaced relationship of the top and bottom panels. The solid core structural member is formed of lightweight materials such as styrofoam, cardboard or synthetic resin. The solid core structural member and the video tape reels fill substantially the entire volume of the cartridge shell hollow chamber.

Abstract: In a gas turbine liner, air metering passages are placed in dimples in a first liner sheet to provide an air chamber. A second liner sheet contains an air outlet for each dimple. The second sheet masks the metering passage and a portion of the dimple. A coating is applied to the second sheet and extends into the dimple but does not cover the metering passage.

Abstract: A portable golf ball retriever utilizing a knock down handle and a yoke formed from horizontal and depending side support members, the side members supporting an axle extending therethrough. A plurality of discs are rotatably affixed to the axle and fingers extend between the discs and the adjacent side support members to dislodge balls collected between the discs as the retriever is exposed thereto. A ball collecting device is releasably secured to the handle and yoke of a size to accommodate the handle, yoke, axle and plurality of discs and function as a carrying bag therefor. Handles are affixed to the collecting device to make it convenient to carry the container from place to place.

Abstract: A lightweight solid-core video cassette cartridge is provided. The lightweight solid-core video cassette cartridge includes a cartridge shell and a solid-core structural member. The cartridge shell includes spaced apart top and bottom panels which define an interior hollow chamber therebetween. A pair of video tape reels are positioned within this hollow chamber for winding video tape. The solid core structural member is provided for maintaining the spaced relationship of the top and bottom panels. The solid core structural member is formed of lightweight materials such as styrofoam, cardboard or synthetic resin. The solid core structural member and the video tape reels fill substantially the entire volume of the cartridge shell hollow chamber.

Abstract: A lightweight, limited use video cassette cartridge that performs all of the needed functions of permanent-use video cassette cartridges, but comprises only eight parts, all made of thin gauge, recyclable synthetic resin material. The lightweight video cassette cartridge includes a top panel and a bottom panel which are mated to form the cartridge shell, a supply reel and a take-up reel rotatably mounted within the cartridge shell, a novel mechanism for maintaining the position of the reels within the cartridge while in use, leader tape for attaching the recorded video tape to the reels, two pieces of low coefficient Teflon tape, and a removable dust cover to protect the exposed video tape. The cartridge weighs less than 1.3 ounces when completely assembled and can be recycled without removing parts.

Abstract: A lightweight, limited use video cassette cartridge that performs all of the needed functions of permanent-use video cassette cartridges, but comprises only eight parts, all made of thin gauge, recyclable synthetic resin material. The lightweight video cassette cartridge includes a top panel and a bottom panel which are mated to form the cartridge shell, a supply reel and a take-up reel rotatably mounted within the cartridge shell, a novel structure for maintaining the position of the reels within the cartridge while in use, leader tape for attaching the recorded video tape to the reels, two pieces of low coefficient Teflon tape, and a removable dust cover to protect the exposed video tape. The cartridge weighs less than 1.3 ounces when completely assembled and can be recycled without removing parts.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fluid flow transducer formed from an electromagnetic assembly having two electromagnet units and a tubular flow contact assembly to measure fluid flow velocity and fluid volume in ionic solutions. Each electromagnet unit includes a core and a winding on the core, and a housing maintains the electromagnet units and their cores and windings in a predetermined relationship with each other. A plurality of electrode receptacles are formed in the housing proximate the flux field created by the electromagnetic assembly. The tubular flow contact assembly includes a tubular member, and four conductive electrodes positioned in and extending from the internal surface of the tubular member where fluid flow occurs.

Abstract: An interlock assembly for preventing more than one of a plurality of shift bars within a transmission shifter assembly from being moved out of a central neutral position at a given time is disclosed. An interlock bracket is connected to the lower end of the shift lever for movement therewith about a first or selecting axis. When the shift lever is moved so as to select a particular shift bar for movement, the interlock bracket moves therewith, thereby blocking movement of the non-selected shift bars. An interlock pin is connected to the interlock bracket for movement therewith. First and second springs are provided for urging the interlock pin, the interlock bracket, and the shift lever toward a centered position relative to the plurality of shift bars.